Shaper feed mechanism with stationary control



Oct 30, 1928.

W. F. ZIMMERMANN ET AL SHAPEH FEED MECHANISM WITH STATIONARY CONTROL 3 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Mardh 5, 1926 ljiyl Ewuentoz $51, auJQ? W T W Patented Oct. 30, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN, OF MAPLEWOOD AND HENRY I-I-AUSER, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO GOULD & EBERHARDT, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OENEW JERSEY.

SHAPER FEED MECHANISM WITH STATIONARY CONTROL.

Application filed.v March 5, 1926.

This invention is in the nature of a modified embodiment of many of the novel principles and structural characteristics of the pending application Serial No. 92,561 tiled March 5, 1926. In the present reorganiza tion, however, a uni-directional but intermittently turning shaft receives the feeding motion from a motion-converter located at the main-frame adjacent the bull-gear and conveys it to a safety-slip-clutch which drives a motion-reverser located at the cross-rail. The present form also shows how the adj ustability of the motion-converter may be accomplished through the use of a non-shiftable stop by employing a cooperating adjustably extensible pawl-carrier in combination with an actuating oscillator movable in an arc of fixed length and which moves with lost mo tion or independently of said pawl-carrier during an initial portion of its forward stroke and then establishes contact with and pushes the pawl'carrier always to the extremity of its forward stroke; a spring serving to return the pawl-carrier (while in contact with the oscillator) evenly and devoid of any snap-action to the station where contact is made and broken. By adjusting the extensibility of the pawl-carrier, the extent of the lost-motion is varied and the amount or rate of the feed is thereby determined.

In a feeding mechanism constructed in accordance with our invention a feed ratchet wheel located adjacent to the crank gear wheel, which operates the reciprocating ram, is actuated during the latter part of the return stroke of the ram. Moreover a stationary control provided adjacent to the cranlr gear wheel for varying the intermittent move ment of the ratchet for varying the feeding rate. Such control for varying the feeding rate is not moved with the feeding mechanism or the mechanism for operating the reciprocating ram. A ccordingly it may be operated manually at any time to vary the feeding rate irrespective of the operative condition of the shaper. The feed ratchet operates a feed shaft intermittently and in a uniform.

Serial No. 92 558.

part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlyingfeatures hereof that they may embody tlie same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a preferred typical construction have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and, in such drawings, like charactors of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of'which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a shaping machine having a feed mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional View along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is asectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is asectional view through the bevel gear wheels on the crossrail which control the direction of the feedingmovements. Fig.5 is a.sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the feed mechanism with the cross-rail illustrated in two positions.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, a shaping machine is illustrated comprising a main frame 1 having a reciprocating ram 2 mounted thereon. The ram 2, which is mounted on suitable ways on the main frame 1, carries a tool headj-i having a suitable cutting tool 5 mounted thereon. A rocker. arm 6, which is oscillated by means of a crank gear wheel 7, is. provided for reciprocating the ram. The rocker arm 6. is adjusted with respect to the ram 2 in a conventional manner by means of a shaft 7 and is clamped in a set position by means of a hand lever 8. Across rail 9, which is vertically adjustable on the frame 1, carries a work table 10.; The work table 10 is fed along the cross rail 9 by means of a screw shaft 11 in a manner to be hereinafter set forth.

A hubportion13 of the crank gear wheel is journaled in a portion of the main frame 1, as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. ,A plate 14, which is secured to the hub 13 by bolts15, one only of which isillusti'ated, serves to prevent endwise or longitudinal movement of the'crank gear wheel 7 in the frame 1. An eccentric member 16 is secured to the plate 1+. and accordingly is rotated not only in accordance with the movement of the-crank gear wheel 7 but also in accordance with the reciprocatory movement of the ram 2. A shaft 17 projects through the eccentric member 16, the plate 14 and the hub 13 of the crank gear wheel, for varying the connection between the crank gear wheel 7 and the rocker arm 6. Such shaft 17 serves to vary the stroke of the ram 2 in the usual and conventional manner. lnasn'luch as such apparatus is not concerned with my invention and is well known a description thereof is deemed unnecessary. A suitable bushing 18 is provided between the eccentric member 16 and the shaft 17 and a strap member 19 in the form of a crank arm is mounted on the eccentric member 16. The crank arm 19 is connected by a pin 20 to an oscillating lever 21. The oscillating lever 21 is provided with an elongated hub portion 22, which is supported in the main frame 1 of the machine by means of a bushing 23. A feed shaft 24 projects through and is supported by the oscillating lever 21. A pawl. lever 25 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 24 ad jacent to the oscillating lever 21. A ring member 26, having worm teeth formed thereon, is fixedly mounted on a hub portion of the pawl lever 25, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A surface 27 on the pawl lever 25 is adapted to be engaged by an arm 28 which projects from the oscillating lever 21. Thus, the arm 28, which is oscillated continuously through a fixed arc, will oscillate the pawldever 28 if means is provided for holding the pawl lever in engagement with the arm.

A worm shaft 31, having a worm 32 formed thereon, is mounted in the frame of the machine as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The worm32 meshes with the worm teeth 30 formed on the ring member 26 which is fast to the pawl lever 25 and serves as a means for adjusting the rotative position of the pawl 10- ver on the feed shaft 24. A spring member 23 extends into an orifice 34 formed in the shaft 31, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. One end ofthe spring member engages a plug member 35 secured to the casing 51 on the machine and the other end of the spring member engages the shaft 31 so as to exert a force normally tending to hold the shaft in engagement with a rectangular end portion 36 of a feed rate adjusting shaft 37. A rectangular portion 36 of the shaft 37 is fitted to a slot in the worm shaft 31 in order to compel the worm shaft and the shaft 37 to rotate together while permitting longitudinal movement of the shaft- 31 and the worm 32 with respect thereto. i

A gear wheel 38, which is secured to the shaft 37, meshes with a gear wheel 39. The gear wheel 39 is secured to a dial 40which has graduations marked thereon to indicate the rate of feed being effected by the work carrying table. The gearing between the dial and the shaft 37 is such that the dial 40 makes one complete rotation for the complete range of feeds that can be obtained on the machine. A hand grasp 41 is secured to the shaft 37 for rotating not only the worm member 32 but also the die] 40. The hand grasp 41 and the gear wheel 38 are located at opposite sides of a plate 43 in order to prevent any longitudinal movement of the shaft 37.

In the above construction it will noted, opera 'ion of the hand grasp 41 serves, through the worm 32, to vary the rotative position of the pawl lever 25 on the feed shaft 24. Moreover, it should'be observed the spring member serves to exert a force tending to hold the worm shaft 31 in engagement with the shaft 37. The force thus exerted on the shaft 31 operates through the worm 32 and the worm teeth 30 to exert a force tending to hold the pawl member 25 in a predetermined initial position and to oppose the movement of the arm 28 which is mounted on the oscillatory lever 21.

Assuming the oscillating lever 21 to be moved in a cormtcr-cloclnvise direction, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it is apparent the arm 28 will engage the surface 27 on the pawl lever and move the pawl lever through an arc in accordance with the initial position of the pawl lever. lVhen the oscillating lever 21 is moved in a clockwise direction the spring member 33 compels the pawl lever 25 to follow the movement of the arm 28 until the worm shaft 31 engages the shaft 37. Thus, it is apparent the hand grasp 41, which controls the initial position of the pawl lever and the worm 32, servesas a means for determining the are through which the pawl lever is oscillated. The oscillation of the pawl lever 25 serves to effect the feeding movements of the work-carryin g table as will be described hereinafter.

A pawl member 45, which is pivotally mounted on the pawl lever 25 by a pin 46, engages the teeth on a ratchet wheel 47, which is keyed to the shaft 24. The ratchet wheel 47 has a hub portion journaled in a wall 50 of the casing 51, which is secured to the main frame 1 of the machine. shaft 24, which is -t yed tort-he ratchet wheel 47, is supported at one end by the ratchetwheel and is supported at the other end; by

means of the oscillating lever- 21 which is supported in the casing 51by the bushing 23. p v

1n the above described construction, the oscillating lever 21 is moved through a fixed are by means of the eccentric member 16 di rectly in accordance with the movementof the shaper ram 2. The arm23, which projects from the oscillating lever 21, engages the surface 27 on the pawl lever 25. .The pawl lever is moved in one direction by meansof the oscillating lever 21 and is returned to initial position by means of the spring member acting on the worm shaft 31. The are through which the pawl lever The feed (ill 25 is oscillated depends upon the initial rotative position of the pawl lever on the feed shaft 24. Such position of the pawl lever is controlled by the hand grasp 11. The pawl lever 25 by means of the pawl member and the ratchet wheel d7 effects intermits tent movement of the feed shaft 24.

It will be noted that, in a mechanical sense, the above mentioned elements involve what may be appropriately termed an extensible pawl carrier. is carried by a rocker 25 which is geared to a plunger 31 which is normally urged against a fixed stop formed by the end of the gear 38; the members being so arranged that upon turning the gear 38, the relationship between the plunger and the rocker 25 may be altered. This, in effect, constitutes an extensible pawl carrying unit by reason of the fact that, in its position of rest, the pawl 4E5 may have an angular position either more or less advanced or extended with respect to the ratchet wheel 47.

The feed shaft 24 carries a bevel gear wheel 52, which meshes with a bevel gear wheel 53 on a connecting feed shaft 5a. The connecting feed shaft. 54: is connected to the bevel gear wheel 53 by means of splines m order to permit longitudinal movement of the rod with respect to the gear wheel while insuring its rotation therewith. A housing for the bevel gear wheels 52 and 53 is pivotally mounted on the bushing 28 as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings. The bushing 23 is secured to the casing 51 and is provided with bayonet projections (see Fig. 5) which lock the housing 55 to the casing 51. The housing 55 also provides a bearing for one end of the connecting feed shaft 54.

The end of the connecting feed shaft 54 opposite to the housing 55 is journaled' in a housing 56. The housing56' is pivotally supported on the feed screw 11 by means of two bushings 57 and 58. A gear wheel 59, which is frictionally connected to the shaft 54;, meshes with two gear wheels 60 and 61. The gear wheels 60 and 61 are rotatably mounted on the bushings 57 and 58. A clutch member is splined to the feed screw 11 between the two bevel gear wheels 60 and (31 and is provided with clutch teeth for engaging similar clutch teeth on the sides of the gear wheels 60 and 61. Thedirection of rotation of the feed screw is controlled by selectively connecting the bevel gear wheels 60 and 61 to the feed screw through the clutch member 62. The clutch member 62 is con trolled by means of a lever 63, which is mounted on a shaft 63 The shaft. 63 is journaled in the housing 56-as best shown in Fig. -1- of the drawings. A gear-segment 65, which is secured to the end of the shaft 63*, meshes with circular rack teeth 66, which are formed on the clutch member 62. In Fig. 4 of the drawings the clutch member That is to say, the pawl 45- 63 is shown in the neutral? position for preventing any automatic feed movement of the feed screw 11. The position of the lever 63 for operating the feed screw in a forward or reverse direction is indicated in dotted lines. In either extreme position of the lever (53, either the gear wheel 60 or. the gear wheel 61, connected to the feed, screw. The bushing 58 not only supports the housing 56 butfalso.provides a bearing for the feed screwll in the cross rail. 9 of the machine. It should be noted the lever (53 is so posi tioned as to indicate the direction of feed-. ing movements effected by the work table 10. lVhen feeding is desired in one direction or the other the lever is positioned in the direction of the desired feeding movements.

The connecting feed shaft 54 is connected with the bevel gear wheel 59 by means of a friction clutch which slips whenever the work table meets with an unusual obstruction. The friction clutch comprises a conical member which is fixedly secured to the shaft and which fits in a conical. recess formed in the gear wheel 59 as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A spring member 71 is mounted on the shaft 54 between the hub portion of the bevel gear wheel 59 and a nut 72 which is threadably connected to the rod 5a. A washer 7 3 is preferably inserted between the nut 72 and the spring member 71. The spring member so positioned serves to exert a force tending to hold the conical member 70 and the gear wheel 59 in operative connection with each other. The tension on the spring 71 may be varied by operating the nut 72.

Inasmuch as the housing 56 is pivotally supported on the feed screw 11 and the housing 55 is pivotally supported on the bushing 23 it is apparent the connecting feed rod 5 ofi ers'no opposition to the vertical movement of the cross rail 9 on the main frame of the machine. In Fig. 6 of the drawings the'cross rail 9is shown in two positions. The uppermost position of the cross rail isindicated by dotted lines whereas the lowermost position is indicated by full lines. The connect-ing rod 54 is free to effect axial or longitudinal movement with respect to the frame of the machine by reason of its spline connection to the bevel gear wheel "3.

In the feed mechanism described it should be noted that the continuous movement obtained from the crank gear wheel is changed into intermittent movement at a point on the frame adjacent to the crank gear wheel. The rate at which the feeding is effected is controlled by means of the hand grasp 11 on the machine frame. At a point on the cross rail 9 a lever 63 is provided for controlling the direction in which the work table 10 is fed.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention, that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpointof the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the foll0wing combinations and elements or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States 1. A shaper feed mechanism comprising a lever oscillated through a fixed are; a pawllever having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; a fixed stop; means for adjusting the angular location of the position of rest of the pawl lever with relation to said fixed stop to vary the are through which it is advanced by the oscillating lever; a feed shaft; and a pawl and ratchet-operated by the pawl lever for operating the feed shaft.

2. A shaper feed mechanism comprising an oscillating lever; means for oscillating saidlever through a fixed are; a pawl lever oscillated by said oscillating lever; means embodying a fixed stop and an adjustable and periodically movable member for varying the are through which the pawl lever is moved by the oscillating lever; a feed shaft; and means for operating the feed shaft in accordance with the movement of the pawl lever.

3. A shaper feed mechanism comprising a pawl lever; means oscillated through a fixed are for engaging the pawl lever to rock it in one direction; means comprising a spring member for keeping the pawl lever during the first portion of its retreat in contact with said first mentioned means; means comprising a worm member engaging worm teeth on the rocking pawl lever for regulating its retreat to vary its movement by the oscillating means; and a hand grasp for rotating said worm member.

4-. A shaper feed mechanism comprising a pawl lever; means oscillated through a fixed are for engaging the pawl lever to rock it in one direction; means comprising a spring member for rocking the pawl lever in a reverse direction; means comprising a worm member engaging worm teeth on the rocking pawl level for regulating its extent of retreat to vary the interval of contac between it and the oscillating means; and a hand grasp for rotating said worm member.

5. A shaper feed mechanism COETIPTiGiBifI a crank gear wheel; an os .illatinglo'ver; means actuated by the crank gear for periodically oscillating said lever through a fixed arc; a pawl lever mounted concentric with said oscillating lever and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means comprising an axially movable worm member engaging worm teeth on the pawl lever for varying the rotative position of the pawl lever to vary its arc of movement by the oscillating lever.

6. A shaper mechanism comprising a retating crank gearwheel; a lever oscillated through a fixed are by motion derived from said crank-gear; a feed shaft for carrying said oscillating lever; a pawl lever rotatably mounted. on said feed shaft and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means embodying a fixed stop and an adjustable and periodically movable member for varying the rotative position of the pawl lever on the feed shaft to vary the are through which it is oscillated by the oscillating lever; a pawl and ratchet for connecting said pawl lever to the feed shaft; a feed screw on theshaper rail; and means for connecting the feed shaftto the feed screw to effect feeding movements of the shaper table.

7. A shaper feed mechanism comprising an oscillating lever; means for oscillating said lever through a fixed arc in accordance with the movement of the shaper ram; a pawl lever for controlling the feeding movements of the shaper table and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means comprising a worm member slidable axially and permanently engaging worm teeth on the pawl lever for varying the rotative position of'the pawl lever; a fixed stop; and a springv member acting on said worm member for exerting a force tend 'ing to hold the pawl member in engagen'ient with the oscillating member during its retreat and until inhibited by said fixed stop.

8. A shaper feed mechanism comprising an oscillating lever; means for oscillating said lever through a fixed arc in accordance with the movement of the shaper ram; a pawl lever for controlling the feeding movements of the shaper table and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means comprising a reeiprocatable worm engaging worm teeth on the periodically movable pawl lever for vary ing the rotative position of the pawl lever; and means for exerting a force tending to hold the pawl. lover in engagement with the oscillating lever for a period determined by said reciprocatable worm.

9. A shaper feed mechanism comprising a lever oscillating through av fixed are; a pawl lever having a. portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever and serving by its extent of retreat to control the feeding movements of the shaper table; a worm engaging worm threads on the pawl lever to limit the relative position of the pawl lever to determine the magnitude of the feeding movements effected; a hand grasp for rotating the worm member and held against longitudinal movement with the worm 'memher; and means comprising a spring member engaging said worm for returning the pawl lever to initial position after movement by said oscillating lever.

10. A shaper feed mechanism comprising an oscillating lever; means for oscillating said lever through a fixed arc in accordance with the movement of the shaper ram; a pawl lever for controlling the feeding movements of the shaper table and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means comprising an axially recipro catable member engaging teeth on the pawl lever for determining the rotative posit-ion of the pawl lever; a stop for limiting the movement of said member and means for exerting a force tending to hold pawl lever in engagement with the oscillating lever until disengaged by said stop.

11. A shaper feed mechanism comprising an oscillating lever; a pawl lever for controlling the feeding movements of the shaper table and having a portion thereof in the path of movement of the oscillating lever; means comprising an axially reciprocatable worm for determining the position of the pawl lever; a rotatable stop cooperating with said worm to vary the are through which the pawl lever is oscillated by the oscillating lever; and resilient means exerting a force on the worm for tending to hold the pawl lever in a predetermined normal position.

12. A sharper feed mechanism comprising a reciprocating ram; a crank lever and a crank gear wheel for reciprocating said ram; feed mechanism operated by the crank gear wheel and mounted on the machine frame adjacentto the crank gear wheel for changing the continuous rotary movement obtained from the crank gear wheel into variable intermittent feeding movements; a connecting feed shaft extending from the feed mechanism mounted on the machine frame to directional mechanism mounted on the cross rail, said directional mechanism comprising two bevel gears for rotating the feed screw in a forward or in a reverse direction by the intermittent feeding movements supplied by the connecting feed rod, and also a common bevel gear; and a friction clutch combined directly with said common gear for protecting the mechanism against abnormal loads.

13. A motion-converter for shaper feedmechanisms combining a. vibratory pawllever; adjustable means for regulating the extent of its retreat; independent means oscillated through a fixed are for periodically advancing said pawl-lever; a pawl and ratchet actuated by said pawl-lever when advancing; and a table feed-shaft operated by said pawl and ratchet.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto sub-- scribed our names.

WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN. HENRY HAUSER. 

